The sound of the shrill alarm rang through the room disturbing the silence prevailing in the room. Geet's eyes shot open, it was the 14th of February; Valentine's Day and his birthday. Hopping off the bed she ran to her balcony in a hope to find him and there he stood in his balcony sipping his coffee and immersed in his newspaper like any other morning. He looked as handsome as ever, would she ever be able to stop looking at him.? It was all she could do, hopelessly look at him from a distance. With a sigh, she looked at the red rose plant that sat in the corner of her balcony. Pulling a flower out of the plant, she placed a soft kiss on it enjoying the feel of the soft petals on her lips. As she opened her eyes, she saw him staring in her direction with a vacant expression. Embarrassed, she looked away and tried to hide her blush. As she looked back at his balcony, she saw him walk away and the last she saw was his back before he disappeared into the house.
Happy Birthday Maan Geet whispered, wishing his retreating figure. Smiling to herself she dashed to her study table and pulled out her most cherished treasure box. Opening the box, she caressed the contents of the box. Her smile widened as she saw a card at the bottom; it was the first card she had bought for Maan on the same day; seven years ago. She clearly remembered the day she saw him for the first time, standing in the same balcony after he just moved into his apartment and nothing remained the same after that one moment. He looked arrogant but he was gorgeous and she found herself thinking about him more often than she wished for. Frustrated with her thoughts, she rubbished the idea of love at first sight but soon had to consider it as she found herself falling for him more as the days passed. She always wished he would notice her once but when he did her happiness was short lived. She could never forget the one cold glance he threw at her and walked back into his house without any word. It was more hurtful than she anticipated, she knew he was arrogant but he turned out be cold towards everything. But his arrival had changed her world and it was something she couldn't ignore. The one cold look didn't leave her and reluctantly she tried to stop bothering about him. However, no matter how much she wanted to forget him, she would only yearn for his acknowledging smile from the balcony across hers. She was eighteen and with all her crazy hormones, it was maddening. She was in love with the stranger.! As a few months passed, something about his coldness dawned a realization upon her; maybe she could never be a part of his world. He wouldn't talk to anyone or interact with anyone, always keeping to himself. Maan Singh Khurana was a 28 year old intern, son of Rajeev Singh Khurana, the richest businessman of Delhi. Being the son of the richest man in the city, Maan chose to live in such a small place, all alone. It explained his coldness to one extent. She wanted to talk to him once but his aloofness towards everything never gave her the courage to even approach him and all she could do was hopelessly fall in love with him. It's how it all started, every year she pulled out a rose for him on his birthday along with a birthday card and collected it, cherishing her memories of love. A tear escaped her eye as she placed the seventh rose along with the other roses, caressing them. It had been seven years since she saw him and they still remained to be strangers. It bothered her a lot at times but she never let her pain overcome the love she had for him. No one except her knew of her feelings as she wasn't even sure how everyone around her would react, the status and the age difference always killed all her courage to open her heart up to anyone. The yearning of seven years was slowly eating her inside out but she feared his rejection, it would be something that will kill her.
Geet.. Her mom called out to her bringing her out of her Maan land. Putting away the box she ran to her mom's call before she discovered it and it would all be out. She could only imagine how her mom would react.
Geet, take care of yourself, we will be back in 3 days. Neena hugged her tightly.
Ma, I am not a baby anymore. I can take care of myself. You go and don't you worry about me. Enjoy Prateek's wedding and let him know I couldn't come because of my leave issue. My boss is just back from vacation and if I mention one, he might ask me to get out. Bossy jerk he is.! I will be fine. She tried convincing her mom. After another half an hour of cajoling her parents finally stopped worried and left. Her eyes widened as she looked at the clock, she was very late.! Running from here to there, she somehow managed to leave the house on time. The same boring day and job awaited her and nothing was going to change anytime soon. She was 25, with a boring job, a half existent love life; the only saving grace were her friends and loving parents.
She sat staring at the OT door with tears streaming down her eyes and her body was numb with shock. Just as she entered the house expecting her parents to be waiting for her; to her surprise she found the house empty. They were supposed to be back before she was but there was no sign of them. After waiting for an hour or two she was about to call them when her phone rang breaking the eerie silence around the house as well as her small world. Keeping herself together, she ran towards the hospital with the tears streaming down her eyes. The door of the OT opened yanking her out of her nightmare which she was still living.
How are my parents.? She asked with a weak voice. She was amazed she could find her voice after so long. It was hoarse from all the crying but she could find it. Maan stood in front of her wearing the OT gown, but his mask was off. This was the first time she was meeting him this closely, but it wasn't the way she ever imagined or wanted to. His eyes were apologetic and she feared every word he was about to speak.
I'm sorry, we couldn't save them. Your father who was driving the car was gravely injured and we lost him on the way to the hospital but your mother had serious internal injuries and we couldn't save her. We're sorry. He said apologetically. He was talking, but she was hardly listening. HIs first 2 words were the end of her world. He patted her shoulder sympathetically and left, leaving her pain and misery to have her.
A week passed away and Geet's world just got darker by the day, there was nothing left for her in Delhi or the house. Her parents were the only ray of happiness in her life, which god took away. Maan's words were still ringing in her ears, his retreating back still fresh in front of her eyes; she didn't have anyone she loved dearly with her. As she emptied her study table and placed her belongings into the open carton, the Rose-Box caught her attention. Taking it out, she caressed the roses one last time and tears made their way down her eyes. Her intuition was right, she could never be a part of his life. Taking out a paper, she tearfully wrote the " I love you " she always wanted to say to him with a tear and a kiss on the paper, it was the only thing she could do and placed it in the box along with the roses. With a heavy heart, she placed the box at the foot of Maan's door with the roses, the cards, the letter, her love and her heart sealed away in the box. It was always his, it was time she gave it away to him. Turning her back away from his door, she quietly left the building with his memories intact in her heart; it was all she had of him. Her love was irrevocable but maybe it was just not enough.!
4 years later, Mumbai
Ma'am, doctor is waiting for you, you may go inside.! The nurse told her as the approached Dr.Khanna's cabin. Geet clutched her scarf tightly as she knocked on the cabin. As she entered the cabin her heartbeat grew faster. Her feet stopped on their own accord as her eyes saw Maan seated on the doctors table. She couldn't believe her eyes, how could he be here at that moment.? It had been 4 years since she saw him. The last time she saw him was when he came to her house to give her a photograph of the three of them, which they found in the hospital after a few days after they were brought in. He looked rather soft the day he came to give it to her. She hadn't forgotten him, it was just shocking to see him this close after such a long time. He hadn't changed much, the same radiant, stern face, the same arrogance on his face with the only addition of glasses shielding his deep brown eyes. As her senses came back various questions crowded her mind, had he seen the box which she had left at his door.? Did he by any chance know it was her who left it there.? The most important question of it all, did he remember her at all.? If he didn't, would it hurt her again.? Her eyes were still stuck at his face when his eyes glanced up at hers and their eyes met. Geet's heart skipped a beat, he still effected her. Her heart had never forgot to love him even though he wasn't in front of her for the past 4 years.
Geet.? He asked in surprise. Her heart swelled in happiness, he did remember her. Should she let the happiness get to her.? What if it was short-lived like all her happiness. Recovering quickly from her thoughts she smiled at him.
Hello Dr.Khurana. I'm sorry to be disturbing you, but I was here to see Dr.Khanna. I seem to have come into the wrong cabin. Sorry again. She apologized hurriedly and took a few steps back to exit the cabin in an effort to get away from him as soon as possible. She was surely in the wrong place. She hadn't seen him before in Dr.Khanna's cabin. She could have easily stepped into the wrong cabin in her nervousness. She was just about to open the door when his voice stopped her.
Wait Geet.! You have come to the right place. Actually, Dr.Khanna is currently unavailable due to his personal commitments, so I am handling some of his cases. Please have a seat. I will check if I have your file here. He explained himself and gestured towards the empty chair that awaited her. Geet's heart got worked up on realizing that he could be her doctor. Would she be able to handle it.? Walking back to the table she quietly took the seat in front of him while he seated himself on his chair.
So why did you want to see him today.? He asked as he searched for some files in the drawers. She was supposed to answer him but she could hardly find her voice. One look at his face was doing this to her, if he happened to be her doctor, how would she be able to accept him as her doctor. Not receiving her answer, he looked up to find her staring at him nervously but she quickly looked away.
Geet, are you okay..? Why are you so nervous.? He asked her as he looked at her worriedly. Geet took the glass of water placed on his desk and gulped it down within seconds. Maan eyed her intently as she tried to calm herself down. Geet nodded in his direction once she was sure she would be fine.
I am fine. Thank You. I actually was supposed to come 2 days back but I couldn't make it due to some reasons. He did say it was urgent so I came today without an appointment. I was unaware of him being unavailable. He referred me to a few tests a few weeks back and he wanted to talk about the results is what I am guessing. Geet spoke in a small tone. Maan listened to her intently and nodded, getting back to the pile of files. Geet watched him as he searched through the pile and retrieved a file.
Got it. Just give me a minute here. Maan said and immersed himself in the papers. Geet looked at him expectantly but only saw his expressions growing tense by the minute. When he eventually looked up his expression was grave. He ran his hands through his hair and pulled out another form. Geet's nerves clenched in anticipation but his silence was only agitating her further.
Is everything okay Maan.? I mean Dr.Khurana...She asked a bit taken aback. She hadn't been keeping well since a few months and was constantly taking medicines for it but when they showed no change in her condition Dr.Khanna suspected something worse and recommended her for a test. Maan's silence was scary.
Geet, I am not convinced by these results. And since now you are my patient, I need you to get the test done again. Come with me.! He spoke hurriedly and left the room. Geet quietly followed him out of the room. An hour passed by and she was busy following his instructions which included various tests, all new ones. Maan seemed worried, but he was not telling her the exact thing. Something about his silence worried her, she tried asking him but he would only remain silent. Finally she lost the patience she was trying to maintain.
Is there something wrong with my reports.? She asked more loudly this time. He looked up at her and just shook his head.
It's just that I wasn't convinced with your previous reports. Now that you have given the test again, let's wait for the new ones. Till then I will ask you to take good care of yourself and in case any of your symptoms repeat again, give me a call. He spoke calmly but something about his voice was off. Geet simply nodded and looked at him expectantly, but he was quiet. With various questions hammering her mind she looked at him one last time before leaving his cabin and to her surprise, he smiled at her warmly. Her heart swelled with happiness with his one smile, it was what she always wished for. Though she smiled at him and left his cabin, something about his behavior wasn't convincing enough. His expressions had deeply changed after seeing her reports, was it that bad.? Keeping her mind off all the things she reached her house and thumped herself on the bed thinking about him. Hadn't she left him behind.? Then why did destiny have to bring him back in the form of her doctor.? Were they ever meant to be together.? But she hardly knew anything about him, did he have anyone in his life.? The thought pinched her heart. But she would have to consider it, he was 39 and how could he not have anyone with him. The thought depressed her very much. Although she had left Delhi behind, she could never move on from his memories. Her heart still belonged to him but the only difference was he wasn't around to make her feel it every day, but now he was back. She had learnt to live without seeing him. The initial months in Mumbai were a nightmare for her, without her parents her life was incomplete. She was always used to the happiness around her and it suddenly vanished with her parents. Could things be different now.? Shutting her eyes tightly, Geet let go off all her memories. She had expected a lot of things from life but it all changed and going through the pain again was worthless. With the thoughts of his return, his worried expressions and her reports still clouding her mind, she drifted into a less peaceful sleep.
It had already been 4 days since she returned from the hospital but there was no word from Maan yet. It had started to freak her out. Geet sat on the couch trying to finish off her work but she was distracted with the lot of the things running in her mind when her doorbell rang. As she opened the door, she was stunned to see Maan standing at her door. He was dressed casually in his usual blue jeans and white shirt. His expressions were grave, something was still bothering him. Although what surprised her was his arrival. Could she have been dreaming.?
Maan.? She asked tentatively trying to confirm her confusion. He didn't say anything, he just smiled and gave a small nod.
I need to talk to you, can I come in.? He asked her seriously. Her heart squeezed in fear. What could be that important that brought him here all the way.?
Of course, please come in.! She said opening the door wide and letting him in. As he entered the house, she noticed him smiling lightly. Something about her house was amusing him.
Your house is so sweet, very similar to your previous one. He commented casually. Geet was surprised that he remembered her house. It hadn't been long but they weren't even friends for him to remember her house. The only time he came to her house was to give her the photo he found. She saw him settle on a nearby chair, he might have asked for permission but she was too lost to reply so maybe he just helped himself.
Can I get you anything.? Geet asked politely. He simply shook his head.
No thanks Geet, I actually came here to talk about something. I didn't want to discuss it with you in the hospital. I normally discuss everything with my patients in the hospital but you are different so I took the liberty of coming here. Your address was in your file. He explained his sudden arrival. His words caught her off guard, how was she different.? Only because he knew her from a few years ago. Somewhere deep down it made her happy that she was different than others for him. But as his other words sunk into her, fear gripped her heart.
What do my reports say.? She asked him straightaway, what else could bring him here. She couldn't bring herself to take a seat. Something about his behavior told her that she was in for a shock. He kept silent and kept staring at the floor. It did nothing but scare her more.
Maan, please.! I want to know what's wrong with me. Your silence is scaring me more. She pleaded with her fingers crossed. Maan looked at her with concerned eyes and just sighed.
Geet, the last time I saw your reports, I wasn't convinced because the results shocked me. I asked you to go through the tests again expecting that something went wrong somewhere but I was wrong. Your results are the same. He said calmly. She waited for him to continue but he didn't.
Please, tell me.! What do they say.? She pleaded him again.
Geet, I am sorry. I don't know why I have to be the one who always gives you the news that will be a shock to you. You are suffering from cervical cancer. He spoke in one breath fearing how she would react. As the words reached her, her world shook. Geet stood numb watching him as he looked up at her. His eyes were apologetic but she hardly could register anything except for the truth that she had cancer. Death was the word ringing in her head crowding every inch of her body. She was about to die. Tears clouded her eyes and a sob escaped her throat. Before she knew she was on the ground sobbing violently. Her head was crowded with thousands of memories and all she could do was cry. Maan was instantly beside her trying to comfort her but she was inconsolable. Could she ever have a happy life.?
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